Means for regulating the water-supply of boilers.



L. C. ANDERSON.

MEANS FOR REGULATING THE WATER SUPPLY OF BOILERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. 1913.

1,173,475. e Patented Feb.29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- WITNESSES l/VVENTOR W Y "I Allornzy L. C. ANDERSON.MEANS FOR REGULATING THE WATER SUPPLY OF BOILERS. APPLICATION FILED APR.19, 1913.

1,173,475. Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR Altorm y WITNESSES III/14,111

LEWIS C. ANDERSON, OF EHRLICH, WASHINGTON.

MEANS FOR BEGULATING 'IHE WATER-SUPPLY OF BOILERS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEWIS C. ANDERSON,citizen of the United States, residing at Ehrlich, in the county ofSkagit and State of Washington, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Means for Regulating the Water-Supply of Boilers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for regulating the water supply ofvarious types of boilers and the primary object of the invention residesin the provision of automatic means arranged exteriorly of the boilerwhereby the water supply is automatically replenished or turned on,should the contents of the boiler become abnormally low.

A further object of the invention contemplates the provision of meansfor automatically regulating the boiler water supply, wherein steampressure is utilized, under certain conditions, to operate suitablevalve mechanism arranged within the water supply pipe, this constructionand arrangement automatically replenishing the boiler water supply asthe original contents thereof are withdrawn or used for variouspurposes.

The invention still further resides in the provision of simple meansincluding a specially devised steam operated supply pipe valve, theoperation of the said valve being controlled by means of a suitablereservoir arranged in a novel and peculiar manner upon the exterior ofthe boiler.

The above and .additional objects are accomplished by such means as areillustrated in their preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings,described in the following specification and then -more' particularlypointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form a part ofthis application.

In describing my invention in detail reference will be had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1is an elevation of a boiler, partly broken away with the regulatingmeans comprising my invention, attached thereto; Fig. 2 is an enlargedelevation, a portion being shown in section, of the reservoir and itsweighted arm; Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of thesupply pipe valve, part of the valve casing being shown in elevation;Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

Application filed April 19, 1913. Serial No. 762,405.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein is illustratedthe preferred form of my invention the numeral 1 deslgnates a boiler ofthe original type upon the exterior of which is arranged the apparatusor mechanism comprising my invention. A suitable reservoir 2, preferablysubstantially triangular in outline, is fulcrumed at a point upon theexterior of the boller approximately upon the same plane or level as thenormal water line of the boiler, the converged end of the said reservoirbeing fulcrumed or pivoted by means of a pipe 3 leading into the boiler.The sald pipe 3 is secured to a reservoir pipe 4 so as to allow the saidreservoir pipe with the reservoir 2 attached thereto to swing or rotateas upon a pivot, the connection between the said two pipes 3 .and 4being accomplished through the medium of a packing nut 5 fitting overannular flanges 6 and 7 respectively formed integrally .with and uponthe extremities of the said pipes 3 and 4. An opening 8 is formed withinthe pipe 4 upon theiinterior of the reservoir 2 therebyefi'ecting'communication between the said pipe 4 and the reservoir. Byextending the pipe 4 through the reservoir 2 and securing its outer endin a water tight manner by means of a packing nut 9, to the outer faceof the reservoir a more substantial support for the latter is obtained.

Fixedly secured to the exterior of the reservoir at the converged endthereof, adjacent the pivotal point of the said reservoir, I provide anarm 10, the said arm extending at a slight angle from the said reservoiras is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and having adjustablymounted thereupon a suitable weight 11 which is retained in adjustedposition by means of a thumb screw 12;

A steam inlet pi e 13 leading into the reservoir is provide the saidpipe extending from the boiler 1 above the normal water line thereofinto the reservoir water supply pipe 3 through which it extendsconcentrically as is shown in Fig. 4 to a point 14 where it is bent orcurved so as to extend into the reservoir along the inner upper facethereof and terminating, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2 nearthe upper diverged end of the said reservoir. A swivel. pipe connectionis provided for the said pipe 13 as at 15 to allow the reservoir portionof the said pipe to swing according to the swivel connection beingpreferably the reservoir, the said disposed the said 10 by 17 is apivotal movement of adjacent the connection between pipes 3 and 4.Adju'stably secured to the arm means of a collar 16 and thumb nutdepending rod 18, the said rod being pivotally secured to the collar 16'as at 19 and connected to a second rod 20 by means of a suitable clamp21 arranged over the said two rods 18 and 20 near, the lower end of theformer. The rod 20 is in turn'pivot'ally con nected as at 22 to theextended portion of a valve stem 23, the said stem extendingtransversely through a suitable valve casing 24, supported in a mannerto be hereinafter fully described upon the exterior of the casing. Avalve seat casing 25 is threaded into the casing 24, the said casinghaving an inlet passage 26 formedtherein into which a steam pipe 27extends, the said pipe 27 being adapted to convey steam from theinterior of the boiler above the water line thereof into the valvecasing 24. A valve head 28 is formed upon the stem 23 for normallyclosing the inlet passage 26 of the casing 25 thereby preventing theentrance of steam into the interior of the casing 24. A

second valve head 29 similar in construction to the head 28 is lowerextremity of the head being normally held with a suitable exhaustthreaded into the casing 24 diametrically opposite to the casing 25. Thesaid casing 24 is threaded into a suitable cap 31, which arranged nearthe stem 23, the said out of engagement valve casing 30 is in turnsupported by means of an extensupply pipe valve.

SlOIl 32 of a water supply pipe valve casing 33, the said extensionbeing threaded into the cap 31 for effecting a secure connectiontherebetween. A partition 34 is formed integrally with the extension 32,extending across the interior thereof for closing com- 'municationbetweenthe casing 24 and the supply pipe casing 33 but allowing asuitable piston rod 35 to extend therethrough, one end of the said rod35 having a piston 36 secured thereto, which piston is operated by thesteam pressure supplied through the mediumof the plpe 27. The oppositeend of the rod 35 carries a valve head 37 which is normally held inengagement with a suitable partition 38 by means of a spring 39 arrangedover an extension of the rod 35 between one face of the head 37 and apacking nut 40 threaded pon the casing 33 of the main water supply pipe41 leading from a suitable source of water supply into an injector 42 is[provided exteriorly of the boiler, from whlch point a supply pipe 43through which it passes, when the valve is open, into a pipe 44 where itis free to enter the interior of the boiler near the top therethewater-contents of the mechanism is actuated by th valve casing 33,,

of, if desired. A by-pipe 45 may be provided for connecting the pipe 43to the pipe 44 thereby allowing the supply of water to enter the boilerwithout passing through or being controlled by the valve arranged withinthe casing 33. Any number of valve cocks 46 may be arranged at variouspoints upon the different pipes employed in connection with theinventionfor controlling the water supply as occasion demands.

Having described fully the detail construction of the device, theoperation thereof will now be set forth. The water within the reservoir2 is normally upon the same level as the water within the boiler 1 andis adapted to rise and fall according to the condition of the waterwithin the'said boiler. Should the water within the boiler be withdrawn,

reservoir 2 is like- When diminished sufiiwise dimlnished.

ciently the weight 11 will cause the said re- A servoir to swing uponits fulcrum or pivotal connection which operation will cause the arm 10to fall and will in turn operate the valve stem 23 and valves 28 and 29of the casing, such operation being effected by means of the rods 18 and20. By depressing the stem 23 the valve 28 is withdrawn from engagementwith the valve seat of the casing 25 whereupon the steam is admittedfrom the pipe 27 intothe interior of the casing 24. By opening the valve28, the exhaust valve 29 is automatically closed thereby causing thesteam pressure of the casing.

24 to operate the piston head 36 which in turn will disengage-the valvehead 37 from the valve seat formed within the partition 38 of the valvecasing 33. When the said head 37 is out of engagement with the valveseat as above described a communication is opened between the pipe 43and the pipe 44 thereby allowing the water to pass from one to the otherand into. the boiler at the top thereof where it will continue to passuntil the water within the boiler has again reached its normal level.After reaching the normal level, a reverse action of the valve operatinge water supply of the reservoir 2 from which it will be seen that thewater supply of the boiler is automatically regulated in the desiredmanner. Bfy }t1he provision of the steam inlet pipe 13 o t steam to thatcontained within the boiler is admitted to the reservoir thus insuring auniform level of water for both the reservoir and. boiler.

In reduction to practice, the form of my invention,

adoption of my device w1ll necessarily vary,

I desire to emphasize the fact that varioul e reservoir a proportionateamount of minor changes in details of construction, proportion andarrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, withoutsacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by LettersPatent, is

1. In a means for automatically regulating the water supply of boilers,a boiler supply pipe through which water is forced under pressure, avalve casing open to said pipe, a valve seat within said casing a springactuated valve normally engaging said seat, a valve stem projectingexteriorly of the casing, a cylinder detachably secured to the valvecasing, the valve stem extending into said cylinder, a piston rigid withthe Valve stem, said piston being movable within the cylinder to actuatesaid valve against tension of its associated spring, valve seats formedat diametrically opposite points relatively to the cylinder, a steamsupply pipe open to said cylinder, valves movable into and out ofengagement with the respective valve seats, a valve rod supporting thementioned valves, one of said valves controlling the steam supply to thementioned cylinder and the other of the said valves controlling thesteam exhaust from said cylinder, and means actuatable by the rise andfall of the water within said boiler to control movement of thementioned rod.

2. In a means for automatically regulating the water supply of boilers,a boiler supply pipe through -which water is forced under pressure,valve means 0 erable within said supply pipe, a piston or operating saidvalve means, a cylinder within which the piston is arranged, a valveoperating rod extending into said cylinder, a steam supply pipe open tothe cylinder, a .valve carried by said rod and normally closingcommunication between the steam supply pipe and the cylinder, a valveseat for the valve, a second valve seat within the cylinder at apointdiametrically opposite to the valve seat aforesaid, a second'valvemounted on said operating rod, said second valve being normally out ofengagement ond seat, and means actuatable according to the rise and fallof the water within the boiler to control movement of said valveoperating rod and move said first valve member out of engagement withits seat, to provide for actuation of the piston by steam pressureexerted thereon, and movement of the second valve into engagement withits seat to prevent the escape of steam admitted go the cylinder, as andfor the purpose set orth.

3. In a means for automatically regulating the water supply of boilers,a boiler supply pipe through which water is forced under pressure, abodily movable reservoir open to the boiler interior, movement of saidreservoir being controlled by the rise and fall of water in the boiler,a balance arm aflixed to the reservoir, a weight adjustable on the arm,a cylinder, a sectional valve operating rod adjustable longitudinallyrelatively to the arm, said rod extending into said cylinder, a steamsupply pipe leading into the boiler and to the cylinder, a valve on saidoperating rod normally closing communication between the said steam pipeand the said cylinder, a seat for said valve member, a second valve seatwithin the cylinder, a valve upon said rod movable into and out ofengagement with said second seat, said second mentioned valve beingadaptedto move into engagement with the seat simultaneously with themovement of the said first mentioned valve out of engagement with theseat, a piston operable within the cylinder upon the admission of steamthereto, and valve means actuatable through movement of the piston tocontrol the boiler water supply.

In testimony whereof I afilx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS C. ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

C. J. HAMILTON, W. D. A'rwm.

with said sec-

